GBA Press Releases

New Regional Plan and TCP Amendment

GBA PRESS RELEASE July 20, 2007: The Goa Bachao Abhiyan welcomes the decision taken by the Government on the floor of the house that it intends to initiate the process of formulating a new Regional Plan for Goa soon, while simultaneously working towards amending the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, l974.

The GBA is however of the view that the proposed basis for a new Regional Plan, i.e. the Draft Regional Plan Report of 2003, is altogether inadequate to direct the state's human and economic development. The document has outlined the current status of Goa without providing an adequate vision for the State. The GBA holds that planning for the people, by the people is vital for a sustainable Goa. Whether draft or final, the Regional Plan process, as it is now, does not place human development as central to a vision for Goa. The GBA therefore urges the Government of Goa to reorient its planning paradigm to flow from human development and local needs – the fundamentals of planning itself needs to be redefined for a resource-stressed state like ours.

The existing Report hence has no basis for being a starting point. Instead GBA advocates extensive public consultation through workshops to initiate a fresh approach to planning. The GBA draws the attention of the Government of Goa to substantive new analysis that is already available - the GBA has already prepared an Independent analysis of the Regional Plan Report, which together with public comments can serve as the basis for discussion between the Government and all other stakeholders.

The GBA had also suggested to the Hon. Chief Minister that as a prerequisite, data on current land use and maps be made available by the T&CP Department. The existing land use base maps should be updated incorporating therein all land use changes made from 1988 to 2005 (i.e. the taluka surface utilization maps of RP 2001, changes as per zoning maps of 10 village areas as well as the 6 konkan railway zoning maps and changes made via Gazette Notifications). This would be needed to serve as the basis while planning any future projections and land use changes while formulating the new Regional Plan.

The GBA would also like to make it clear that throwing open the Draft Outline Development Plans (ODPs) once again to the public would not serve any public interest if they continue to be in operation. The draft ODPs will have to be held in abeyance until the process is complete, if the Government is serious about involving people in the process.

The GBA welcomes the idea of the workshop to be held by the TCP department.
A comprehensive TCP Act is needed as the old Act is outdated and does not even incorporate the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

The Goa Bachao Abhiyan has planned a series of workshops to discuss issues that need to be addressed vis a vis the Regional Plan. The first workshop on Amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, will be held on the 5th of August 2007 in order to come out with recommendations which can thereafter be discussed in the Workshop organized by the Government. The public are requested to send in any suggestions they would like to be discussed at this workshop to the Office of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan at E-74, Campal, Panjim, Goa 403001 or email your suggestions to goabachaoabhiyan@gmail.com latest by 31st July, 2007.

For GOA BACHAO ABHIYAN

sd/-
(Dr. Oscar Rebello)
Convenor.

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